Blanchard and Miller (2014) argue that the secret of great leaders is that they serve others. Great leaders are also focused on the future and have high levels of credibility. Within that context, Blanchard and Miller (2014, p.6) present the SERVE model,
that is, great leaders:
S – See the Future
E – Engage and Develop Others
R – Reinvent Continuously
V – Value Results and Relationships
E – Embody the Values
Thus, great leadership is based on the idea of service for others. The great leaders are the ones who don’t desire to lead, but those that desire to serve. In essence, great leadership is based on service and sacrifice. These are the features that are central to President Magufuli’s actions and message to his followers.
Pearce (2013) contends that leaders must be authentic, caring and persevering. Thus, to be able to effectively engage an audience, the leaders must have true conviction in what they say. Pearce (2013) argues that at the heart of leadership is the ability of leaders to tap into their own values and experiences and communicate them to others.
Branson (2014) argues that leaders need to think outside the box. He observes that leaders must listen because it improves the way they lead. He also emphasizes the importance of simplicity on the part of the leader observing that leaders need to be bold and focus on their followers because everything begins and ends with people.
Indeed, Greenleaf (1998) argues that is important for leaders to serve others first. He observes that servant leaders, inspired by vision and a servant ethic, can make a substantial difference in the quality of society. Greenleaf (1998) also notes that true leaders are chosen by their followers. He observes that the skills necessary to be a servant-leader are awareness, foresight and listening.
In the same vein, Maxwell (2014) argues that leaders must master the ability to inspire and invest in people. He describes five levels of leadership, beginning with Positional leadership at the most basic level and leading up to Permission, Production, People Development, and finally Pinnacle;
Level 1—Position: People follow you solely because of your position.
Level 2—Permission: People follow you because they want to.
Level 3—Production: People follow you because of what you have done.
Level 4—People Development: People follow you because of what you have done for them.
Level 5—Pinnacle: People follow you because of who you are and what you represent. (Maxwell, 2014, p.8)
In Tanzania, people are following President Magufuli because they know who he is and what he represents- a corrupt-free, prosperous and hard-working Tanzania. This is the message that President Magufuli has consistently put across to his followers in deeds and words.
Way Forward
Given the risk that President Magufuli might become more popular than his own party, perhaps, he needs to include other senior members of his party and cabinet more in his public meetings so that he builds a strong base within the leadership ranks.
In that regard, President Magufuli is urged to view his leadership as a process of continuous improvement, in which there is always room to do even better. Indeed, Pearce (2013) argues that leaders must continuously perfect the art of communicating their values and vision to inspire sustained commitment from their followers.
Freed (2013) argues that improvement happens through self-examination and criticism. He opines that great leaders possess the virtues of humility, resilience, a balanced life, and are good listeners. He also notes that great leaders have high levels of intuition, creativity, awareness, and integrity. Great leaders are also capable of admitting mistakes fearlessly.
In Tanzania, President Magufuli has reflected these core elements of servant leadership in the way he interacts and communicates with his followers. He has emphasized the importance of self-discipline, restraint, responsibility and accountability as the core elements of his leadership.
